The Effectiveness of Fines in Addressing Overcrowding in Correctional Institutions

Roberto Sianturi; Adi Mansar

doi:10.59890/ijels.v4i4.327

Authors

Roberto Sianturi Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara
Adi Mansar Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijels.v4i4.327

Keywords:

Criminal Fines, Prison Overcapacity, Restorative Justice

Abstract

The problem of overcrowding or overcapacity in correctional institutions (Lapas) in Indonesia has reached a critical point, threatening the function of prisoner development and significantly burdening the state budget. This phenomenon is rooted in a prison-centric and retributive sentencing policy. This study aims to analyze the optimization of fines by judges as an alternative sentencing within the framework of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP) to reduce prison occupancy rates. The research method used is normative juridical with a statutory and conceptual approach. The results show that Law Number 1 of 2023 has implemented a philosophical reorientation through Articles 51 and 52, which prioritize restorative justice and non-deprivation of liberty sanctions. Fines are positioned as a strategic instrument in line with the principle of ultimum remedium and recognition of living law. However, its implementation remains hampered by the retributive legal culture of law enforcement officials and the lack of technical regulations regarding the conversion of fines that do not result in imprisonment for low-income offenders. The study concluded that a transformation of judges' mindsets and strengthening of regulations on the execution of community service sentences as a complement to fines are necessary. The effectiveness of fines would not only reduce the physical burden on prisons but also create a more humane, proportional, and socially balanced criminal justice system.

References

Abdullah, Ove Syaifudin, Maidina Rahmawati, and R Ilwafa. “Orientasi Implementasi Pidana Kerja Sosial Sebagai Alternatif Pidana Non-Pemenjaraan Dalam KUHP 2023.” Institute for Criminal Justice Reform Jalan, 2024.

Arief, Hanafi, and Ningrum Ambarsari. “Penerapan Prinsip Restorative Justice Dalam Sistem Peradilan Pidana Di Indonesia.” Al-Adl : Jurnal Hukum 10, no. 2 (2018): 173. https://doi.org/10.31602/al-adl.v10i2.1362.

Aryanto, Emanuel Yogi Budi. “Efektivitas Pelaksanaan Pidana Denda Sebagai Upaya Pengembalian Kerugian Negara Dalam Perkara Tindak Pidana Korupsi (Study Kasus Kejaksaan Negeri Semarang).” Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (Indonesia), 2023.

Ashshofa, Burhan. “Metode Penelitian Hukum,” 2007.

Friedman, Lawrence M. The Legal System: A Social Science Perspective. Russell Sage Foundation, 1975.

Hafrida, and Usman. Keadilan Restoratif (Restorative Justice) Dalam Sistem Peradilan Pidana. Deepublish, 2024.

Indonesia, Pemerintah Republik. Undang-undang (UU) Nomor 1 Tahun 2023 tentang Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Pidana (2023). https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/234935/uu-no-1-tahun-2023.

Malik, Abdul, and Muhamad Amin. “Politik Hukum Dalam Pembaruan Sistem Peradilan Pidana: Analisis Pemidanaan Dalam KUHP Baru.” Fundamental: Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum 14, no. 2 (2025): 1–13.

Mansar, Adi. Bunga Rampai Politik Hukum Pidana Pemberantasan Korupsi Melalui Hukum Responsif. Pustaka Prima. Medan: Pustaka Prima, 2017.

Mansar, Adi, and Ikhsan Lubis. “Harmonization of Indonesian Criminal Law through the New Criminal Code towards Humane Law.” Journal of Law and Sustainable Development 11, no. 12 (2023): e2381–e2381.

Muna, Fauzul. “Analisis Yuridis Urgensi Keadilan Restoratif Dalam Penegakan Hukum Tindak Pidana Ringan Di Indonesia.” Universitas Islam Sultan Agung Semarang, 2025.

Purwati, Ani. Metode Penelitian Hukum Teori Dan Praktek. Surabaya: Jakad Media Publishing, 2020.

Putranto, Afandono Cahyo, and Irwan Triadi. “Konsep Hukum Pidana Adat Pasca Pemberlakuan Undang-Undang Nomor 1 Tahun 2023 Tentang Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Pidana Perspektif Living Law.” Al-Zayn: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial & Hukum 3, no. 5 (2025): 7317–38.

Rasiwan, Iwan. “Prinsip Keadilan Restoratif Dalam KUHP Nasional: Jalan Tengah Hukum Pidana.” AMU Press, 2025, 1–311.

Sari, Gholin Noor Aulia, Wahyu Sinta Dewi Pramudita, Raden Muhammad Muhklasin, Dewi Sulistianingsih, and Martitah Martitah. “Tinjauan Filosofis Keadilan Restoratif Dalam Lensa Teori Keadilan.” Bookchapter Hukum Dan Politik Dalam Berbagai Perspektif 3 (2024): 253–91.

Sari, Novita, J M H No, and Cawang–Jakarta Timur. “Penerapan Asas Ultimum Remedium Dalam Penegakan Hukum Tindak Pidana Penyalahgunaan Narkotika. 17.” Jurnal Penelitian Hukum E-ISSN 2579 (2017): 8561.

Soemitro, Ronny Hanitijo. “Metode Penelitian Hukum, Ghalia Indonesia, Jakarta.” Rosa Agustina, 2003.

Sukanada. “Hakikat Prinsip Imparsialitas Dalam Sistem Peradilan Pidana.” UNIVERSITAS HASANUDDIN, 2021.

Sulaiman, Anwar, and Asmak ul Hosnah. “Analisis Penerapan Restorative Justice Dalam Kasus Tindak Pidana Ringan Sebagai Upaya Mengurangi Over Kapasitas Di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan.” International Journal Of Social, Policy And Law 3, no. 2 (2022): 57–67.

Suratman & Dillah, P. Metode Penelitian Hukum. Bandung: Alfabeta. bandung: Alfabeta, 2012.

Suryanto, Heru. “Mencegah Konflik Kekerasan Di Lapas Dan Rutan Akibat Over Kapasitas.” Ditjenpas, 2025. https://www.ditjenpas.go.id/mencegah-konflik-kekerasan-di-lapas-dan-rutan-akibat-over-kapasitas.

Yulianti, Wulan Dwi. “Upaya Menanggulangi Over Kapasitas Pada Lembaga Pemasyarakatan Di Indonesia.” Al-Qisthu: Jurnal Kajian Ilmu-Ilmu Hukum 18, no. 2 (2020).